MELISSA KRITZER
Bassoonist
Education:
2011
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance
Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Bassoon)
2003
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Master of Music in Bassoon Performance
Koch Scholarship
University Graduate Scholarship (combined full scholarship)
2000
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance
Magna cum laude
College Teaching Experience: Michigan State University
2008-2010
Private Bassoon Instruction: •Lessons with music majors and non-majors
2008-2010
Reed Making Class:
•Required weekly course for freshman bassoonists
•Designed teaching materials
•Initiation of an optional weekly reed-making class
for all bassoonists
2008-2010
Chamber Music Coach:
•Instruction of undergraduate ensembles enrolled in
woodwind chamber music
•Oversight of graduate woodwind coaches
2009-2010
Bassoon Methods
•Required course for Music Education Majors
•Managed and repaired the inventory of instruments
•Designed the course, the grading and created teaching
materials for the class
2008
Audition Preparation
•Special Topics class for Music Performance Majors
•Generated a syllabus based on research
•Created a systematic approach using audio and
video recording technology
•Launched the course
Professional Orchestra Experience:
2013-2015
2013-2015
2015
2011-2015
2011-2015
2013-2015
2012-2013
2006-2010
2008-2010
2006-2010
2003-2006
2003-2006
2003-2007
2002-2006
2005
2004
2004
2002-2004
2003
2003
2001
2000-2001
2000
second
second
substitute
substitute
substitute
substitute
substitute
second
third
second
principal
principal
second
substitute
substitute
second bassoon
contrabassoon
substitute
substitute
Binghamton Philharmonic
Tri-Cities Opera
Albany Symphony Orchestra
Long Island Philharmonic
United States Coast Guard Band
Hartford Symphony
Bronx Opera Company
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Flint Symphony Orchestra
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati Baroque Orchestra
Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
UANL Orchestra (Monterrey, Mexico)
New World Symphony Rome Tour
Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Spoleto Festival, USA
National Repertory Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Civic Orchestra of Chicago
American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz)
Chamber Music Experience:
2011-2015
2014
2013-2015
2014
2012-2015
2011
2009-2010
2010
2009-2010
2008-2010
2007-2009
2007
2005-2006
2003
2002
Kammermusiker (United States Tours)
International Double Reed Society Chamber Recital
Chelsea Trio Fernande Decruck Project
Parrish Art Museum Concert (Composer Collaboration)
The Chelsea Quintet
Harlem Chamber Players
Musique 21 New Music Ensemble
Faculty Recital, Spring Arbor University (Spring Arbor, MI)
Concert Series at Historical Museum (Lansing, MI)
Electric Blue Wind Quintet (Pilot MSU Outreach Program)
Manitou Music Festival
DMA Chamber Music Recital
Northern Kentucky University Faculty Wind Quintet
Grandin Festival (Vocal Chamber Music)
John Mack recital performance at Kent-Blossom Festival
Solo Performances:
2014
2014
2012
2009-2010
2008
Chelsea Symphony (John Williams’ Five Sacred Trees)
Chelsea Symphony (Mozart Sinfonia Concertante)
Duotopia: A Bassoon and Oboe Recital
3 DMA Solo Recitals
Michigan State Philharmonic (Concerto by C. M. von Weber)
Concerto Competition Winner
CCM Chamber Players (Yellowstone Rhythms by Jay Reise)
2002
Summer Study:
2002
1999
Kent-Blossom Music Festival, John Clouser, instructor
Brevard Music Center, Barrick Stees, instructor
Applied Instructors:
2007-2011
2001-2004
2000-2001
1997-2001
1992-1997
Michael Kroth
William Winstead
William Buchman
Robert Barris
Daryl Durran
Michigan State University
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CCM Professor)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Civic Bassoon Coach)
Northwestern University
Pennsylvania State University
Lectures:
2012
Discovering the “Hungarian” in Andante and Rondo:
A Historical Approach to a Standard Bassoon Solo
International Double Reed Society Convention
2009
Participation of Latinos/as in Community Music Programs in the Midwest
Julian Samora Research Institute Conference
Publications:
2013
Reviews for The Double Reed
Private Teaching:
2012-2015
2015
2012-2015
2010-2011
2007-2009
2003-2006
2003-2005
Private Studio, 7th-12th grades and adults (7 students)
Woodwind Mentor for Richmond County Orchestra
Frank Sinatra Performing Arts High School
Coach for woodwind section of Mid-Michigan Youth Orchestra
Private studio, selected through school band programs Ann Arbor and Lansing,
5-10th grades, (8 students)
Private studio, recruited through several school districts, 6-11th grades, (18 students)
Group lessons for beginning students at Sunman-Dearborn School in Indiana
Master Classes:
2012
2013
Pennsylvania State University
Hunter College
Administrative Duties:
2009
Michigan State Double Reed Day
•Advertised online
•Managed enrollment
•Administrated the collection of fees
•Assisted guest artists
•Recruited and oversaw volunteers
•Supplied technical support for lectures
•Worked with vendors
2008-2010
Studio Class Administration
•Generated ideas for class lectures
•Organized topics and performances
2008-2010
Accompanist Assignments
•Organized studio accompanists
for juries and recitals
2001
American Composers’ Forum
•Executive Assistant in Chicago
Professional Affiliations:
2001-2015
1996-2015
American Federation of Musicians
International Double Reed Society
Additional Skills:
Piano Accompanying
German Proficiency
Professional Recordings:
Naxos Label, Ann Arbor Symphony, The Music of Paul Fetler
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Salutes Frank Sinatra
Upcoming: Naxos Label, Albany Symphony, Concertos by Michael Daugherty
Reed Trios of Fernande Decruck